Medicine: Asian Flu: the Outlook

Asian influenza will hit the U.S. this fall before mass immunization can
be effective, and the nation faces an epidemic which may strike 15
million to 30 million people. The disease is relatively mild (in no way
comparable to the killing "Spanish flu" of 1918-19), and is likely to
cause only a small number of deaths among the feeble young and
enfeebled old. But it may compel 10% to 20% of the population in
affected areas to take to their beds at the same time, thus cripple
essential services.